Grand Opening Exhibition｜3331 Presents TOKYO : Part 1

AKIBATAMABI21
Akibatamabi21 is a space run by Tama Art University (also referred to as Tamabi) providing a platform for young artists to present their works. A space in which young artists can come together, share their vision and support each other. Through encounter with other people young artists have the opportunity to break out of one's shell, and undertake an engagement which does not rely on existing systems and authority but allows one to find independence through self-organization and production. Akibatamabi21 is a place of such discipline. This space is entrusted to young artists who pursue such a vision, a space of possibilities, a space which will witness the fruition of such potential.http://akibatamabi21.com/

Art is always
the greatest embodiment of the reality of “here and now”, and it is
from this point we take our lead. The now of Tokyo is our starting
point and the 4 artists selected for this exhibition can be said to be
an embodiment of this.（Kosai Hori）
＜Selected Artists＞Yuka Ohtani, Toru Kuwakubo, Ryosuke Hara, Hajime
Mizutani

大谷有花｜Yuka OHTANI
Born 1977, Sagamihara, Kanagawa. Graduated from Master Course of Tama
Art University 2003. In 2001 she was awarded the Motone Kunio prize at
the 6th Showa Shell Oil Contemporary Art Competition. In
2003 she was awarded a prize at “VOCA 2003”, held at The Ueno Royal
Museum. In 2010 she received the Kinutani Koji award. Since 2009 she
has been active as a promoter for her home town of Sagamihara.http://www.i-c-arts.com/yuka_terrace.html

"Black Book－Tree of Creation" 2009
oil on canvas
Courtesy of I.C.Arts

Described as a global metropolis, Tokyo is a city which is
continuously focused upon for its efficient function. Yet also here
12,000,000 people carry out their daily lives. Amongst this mass
population I hope for a society in which each person respects each
other and in which we are able to share a peaceful tranquility. It is
with this very feeling that the work presented here “Life Series”, was
created, a call of encouragement to the lives of each individual. Even
if it is not spectacular, the leading role in the story of one’s life
is oneself. When viewing these works I hope that you will have an
opportunity to return to these things which are clearly obvious but
which we often forget. The work presented here “Life Series” is the
series which was this year awarded the Kinutani Koji prize and this
exhibition will be the debut of the work since receiving this award.

桑久保徹｜Toru KUWAKUBO
Born 1978, Kanagawa. Graduated from the Painting Department of Tama
Art University in 2002. Presented with the Tokyo Wonder Wall Award, as
part of the program organized by Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo in
2002.
Solo exhibitions include Tokyo Wonder Site, Hongo (2003),Tomio Koyama
Gallery, Tokyo (2003,2008), and Gallery Hyundai, Seoul (2010). Group
exhibitions include “Portrait Session”, Nadiff, Tokyo/Hiroshima City
Museum of Contemporary Art, Hiroshima (2007) and “Artist File” at the
National Art Center, Tokyo (2010). As of 8th August 2010
Kubota will hold a solo exhibition at Tokyo Wonder Site, Shibuya.

"Holes and the King" 2003
oil on canvas
Courtesy of Tomio Koyama Gallery

If I say I come from Japan or if I say I come from Tokyo, there is a
very different connotation. Although Tokyo is of course part of Japan,
I have the feeling that only the image of this city, rather than the
country, is prevalent in popular imagination. Although we can cheer
Tokyo as a world center, if we try the same with Japan our cheers fall
rather flat. Tokyo has a particular quality that can not be found in
other areas of Japan. Here new and interesting things occur daily, and
if I go there I can be assured of encountering some special event.
Certainly Tokyo is a great place. But because I am originally from
Kanagawa Prefecture I must say “I come from Japan” or “close to
Tokyo”. So it has much less impact.

原良介｜Ryosuke HARA
Born 1975. Graduated Master Course of Tama Art University in 2002. Was
awarded the Tokyo Wonder Wall prize in 2001. Hara’s work captures the
multiplicities of time and space existing in one single phenomenon.
Major exhibitions include “Tokyo Painting” (2007 Tokyo Wonder Site,
Shibuya, Tokyo), “Flickering Horizon” (2008 Yuka Sasahara Gallery,
Tokyo) and“project N 36 Hara Ryosuke”(2009 Tokyo Opera City Art
Gallery, Tokyo), amongst various other solo and group exhibitions.

"BY A LAKE" 2007
oil on canvas
Courtesy of Yuka Sasahara Gallery

Even if you have been there it is a place you do not know,
Even if you haven’t been there it is a place that you know.
Perhaps it is something like this.A future which has already been,A past that never was.

水谷一｜Hajime MIZUTANI
Graduated from the Master Course in Painting at Tama Art University in
2003. After receiving an achievement prize at the Kirin Art Awards in
the same year, Mizutani has been actively engaged both in Japan and
internationally in exhibitions and artist in residence programs. Group
shows include “Eichigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2009”, “Kitazawa
Biennial” (2009) and “VOCA2010”.http://www.ab.auone-net.jp/~hajime/

"The
Erect Room" 2009
charcoal, paper
Courtesy of the Artist

Tokyo is rather like Mars. This is what first came into my head when I
began to think what Tokyo is. In my case, as someone brought up in the
suburbs of Tokyo, Tokyo centre is not a completely difficult place to
reach. Well of course I haven’t actually been to Mars. Certainly until
now my awareness of Mars has been no more than wondering if I have
seen it in the clear night’s sky. But when I think of Mars I think of
it as both something “close” and something “far away”. But if I was
asked if I would like to go there, well I wouldn’t say no. As I
watched the image taken by the NASA space probe of Mars hanging in the
pure black of the universe on Wikipedia, I certainly felt Tokyo is
something much like this.